Victoria Peechat (she/her)

I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Climbing has been a whole new level of athleticism challenging both my body and mind. The aspect that involves the mind is one of the most difficult things I have ever experienced.

I can no longer have tunnel vision and miss the most efficient route of the climb. I can no longer be indecisive when choosing where to place my feet. I can no longer be impulsive and impatient either, and try to rush because I feel like I’m taking up too much time and too much space.

I have to trust in what I know about the climb, what I know about the rock, and what I know my body can do. I have to trust that I can hold myself on this itty-bitty hand hold. I have to quell my nerves that this three-person party is depending on me to make it all the way to the top of this multi-pitch. I have to trust that my belaying partner will catch me if I fall. I have to slow down and focus.

And since so much of climbing for me is the mental side of things, I didn’t know how much an inclusive, safe community could help me focus my mental energy to make the best of the climb. This festival allowed me to be around people who were encouraging, patient, and supportive. With like-minded people around me, I was able to be myself in the most authentic way, make mistakes and push myself to improve. I learned something from everyone I climbed with – whether it was how to build different anchors, rappel down, or be patient with someone stuck at the crux with silence or beta talk depending on what they wanted. I overcame several of my own mental barriers preventing me from leading and learning trad. The next step will be to practice these new skills and hold a welcoming space for anyone I climb with in the future.

I expected to have a fun time and enjoy the New Hampshire weather and mountains with friendly people. But I didn’t expect to feel so safe and comfortable, welcomed and challenged all at once. I didn’t expect to learn as much as I did and improve within a short time span. I’m excited to be back next year for Flash Foxy, meet up with the TradDadz™, and learn more! Thank you to all the organizers for holding this space and time for us. Thank you to the land: North Conway traditionally known as N’dakinna, which is the traditional ancestral homeland of the Abenaki, Pennacook, Pequawket and Wabanaki Peoples past and present.